unobtrusive

/(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv/

//(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv// adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"unobtrusive" is a 11-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“unobtrusive” has 16 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #44,550. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#44,550
frequency rank, English
1,433
“U” headwords
16
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - Not obtrusive; not blatant or noticeable; discreet, inconspicuous.

Corpus desk

Index EN-unobtrusive · unobtrusive · English

unobtrusive · rank #44,550 · 16 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #44,550
  • LEN-MEGA 11 letters
  • VOW-5 5 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-HIGH 16 variants
  • BOOK-MID 1,433
  • PHOTO-FINISH unobstructed

Nearest frequency peer: unobstructed (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “unobtrusive”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “unobtrusive” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for unobtrusive
PropertyValue
Headwordunobtrusive
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv/
Letters11
Frequency rank#44,550
Misspellings tracked16
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “unobtrusive”

Word frequency stretches from the small set of words we reach for constantly (left) out to the long tail barely used once in a while (right).unobtrusivelands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

The axis is logarithmic, with each marked tick roughly ten times rarer than the last. Same rarity band neighbours include “unobstructed” (#44,549), “unwitting” (#44,551), “UNLV” (#44,548). Among 1,433 “U” headwords, “unobtrusive” is #44,550. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 16 spelling variants around unobtrusive (IPA /(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv/), anadjective. Corpus frequency is #44,550 among 1,433 “U” headwords. Dominant gloss: "Not obtrusive; not blatant or noticeable; discreet, inconspicuous.".

Our generated misspelling index lists 16 likely wrong-spelling variants for unobtrusive, with forms such as "nuobtrusive", "unbotrusive", and "unnobtrusive". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From un- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + obtrusive. The correct English form is unobtrusive, spelled U-N-O-B-T-R-U-S-I-V-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    Not obtrusive; not blatant or noticeable; discreet, inconspicuous.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how unobtrusive appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. Ye Quietiſts, in Homage to the Skies! / Serene! of ſoft Addreſs! vvho mildly make / An unobtruſive Tender of your Hearts, / Abhorring Violence!
  2. [T]hey were not the spoiled children of affectation and refinement, but a bold, vigorous, independent race of thinkers, with prodigious strength and energy, with none but natural grace, and heartfelt unobtrusive delicacy.

Etymology

From un- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + obtrusive.

This word in other languages

discreto(Español)bescheiden(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • nuobtrusive
  • unbotrusive
  • unnobtrusive
  • unobbtrusive
  • unobrtusive
  • unobtrrusive
  • unobtrsuive
  • unobtruisve
  • unobtrusiev
  • unobtrusivve
  • unobtrussive
  • unobtrusvie
  • unobttrusive
  • unobtursive
  • unotbrusive
  • uonbtrusive

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of unobtrusive - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

nuobtrusive2unbotrusive2unnobtrusive1unobbtrusive1unobrtusive2unobtrrusive1unobtrsuive2unobtruisve2
Edit distance from "unobtrusive"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "unobtrusive"?
"unobtrusive" is spelled U-N-O-B-T-R-U-S-I-V-E. The IPA pronunciation is /(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv/.
What does "unobtrusive" mean?
As an adjective, "unobtrusive" means: Not obtrusive; not blatant or noticeable; discreet, inconspicuous.
What are common misspellings of "unobtrusive"?
Common misspellings include "nuobtrusive", "unbotrusive", "unnobtrusive", "unobbtrusive", "unobrtusive". The correct spelling is "unobtrusive".
How do you pronounce "unobtrusive"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "unobtrusive" is /(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "unobtrusive"?
From un- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + obtrusive. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "unobtrusive", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 11 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

upholstered#44,552thereabouts#44,526synchrotron#44,521symbolizing#44,520

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (16 here; floor ≥5).

Vandenberg16 variantsultralight16 variantswanderlust16 variantsshoestring16 variants

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list